Should you replace locks after moving into a home?
Many new residents choose residential lock replacement in Alief soon after receiving the keys to a house or rental. Previous owners may have given spare keys to family members, neighbors, cleaners, contractors, dog walkers, or tenants. You may have every key handed to you, but there is no simple way to know how many copies exist.
Replacing locks after moving can help you begin with controlled access to your home. This is common for homes near Westpark Tollway, properties off Cook Road, and rental homes around the Alief ISD area.
You may choose to replace locks on.
- Front entry doors
- Rear entry doors
- Garage access doors
- Side doors
- Patio doors
- Gates leading to a private yard
- Storage rooms connected to the home
If the home has several exterior doors, it helps to make a list before service. Walk around the property and check every place a person can enter with a key. The back door is easy to forget until it is time to carry groceries in during a Texas rainstorm.
Can a damaged lock be replaced after a break-in or forced door?
Yes. A damaged residential lock may need replacement after forced entry, an attempted break-in, a door slam, or an accident involving the key. The lock is only part of the picture. The door edge, frame, strike plate, and latch opening may also need inspection.
Signs of force damage can include.
- Bent deadbolt bolts
- Loose strike plates
- Splintered wood around the latch opening
- Screws pulled away from the frame
- A lock that turns but does not secure
- A keyway that has been damaged
- A door that will not close flush with the frame
If the door frame is damaged, a new lock alone may not sit or operate correctly. ASAP Locksmith can inspect the lock hardware and point out visible concerns with the fit of the door and strike area. In some cases, a homeowner may need separate door or frame repair work before the lock functions normally.